CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7319, 4 February 1902, Page 3

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

THE OPENING ADDRESS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. The Conference of Chambers of Commerce opened this afternoon. Mr D. J. Nathan (Wellington) presided, and in his opening address said that tho position of mercantile and industrial lifs was far from justifying the pessimism that had charae- ' tensed the utterances of public men and writings in the newspapers. No doubt wool was as low in price as was ever known, but signs of improvement were noticeable. Comparing the position of the sheepfarmer in 1881 (before the frozen meat industry revolutionised the condition of the colony) with it at the present time, it was found to be much improved. The spo-aker said there was an average price last year of 10s per sheep ' as against 5s "in 1901. The significance of a drop of one million and half in our. exports was greatly discounted by the fact that the total export? for some years had shown abnormal increases. In : any case, a fail of one million and a half ; was' not likely to ruin this colony. Frozen meat had been higher in value, bufc few , could grumble at the present prices, and, j moreover, there were signs of improvement. ; Tallow, butter and flax were his l !., while the prospects of wheat and oats hardly justi- • fled any. special feeling , of 'despondency. Gold, timber amd gum products had more than -maintained their position, and .be coal output.was increasing, while there were other industries, the pork export, for in- ■ stance, awaiting development. The Chairman strongly advocated preferential treat- ! ment cf British-ms-de goods, ard urged* the. opening up of the country hy means of roads, bridges and railways, and particularly the completion of the trunk lines.